Punta del Este is the playground of the rich and famous in Uruguay, but you don't need to be part of the elite to enjoy a summer vacation here. With its beautiful beaches, elegant restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Punta del Este is a great destination for both Argentinian and Brazilian tourists and other foreign visitors. To get the most out of this destination, here are 12 things to do in Punta del Este. Start your visit by taking a walk to the tip of the peninsula to visit the Punta del Este Lighthouse. Built in 1860, the location and height offer great views of Punta.
Although access to the interior of the lighthouse is not always possible, the walk here is worth it both because of the picturesque lighthouse and the views of the peninsula. Take a break from the glitzy people and the coast with a boat trip to Isla de Lobos. This island, located 8.5 km from Punta del Este, is home to a large colony of sea lions. See the island colony up close and navigate the Isla de Lobos lighthouse. Gorlero Avenue (Avenida Gorlero) is the main street in the Punta del Este region of Uruguay. It is named after the first mayor of Maldonado, Juan Gorlero, and it is the only street in the area that owes its name to a person.
All other streets are referenced by street number, while avenues are known in order starting with 5000. Both are things to see in Punta del Este that are worth visiting and, if nothing else, they are a good photo session and a little different and old school atmosphere than the rest of the city. One of the most popular places is the Moby Dick Pub, a bar on the harbor with a cozy terrace to enjoy the warm summer of Punta. Punta del Este's location at the tip of the peninsula means that you can choose between the quieter shoreline of Playa Mansa or the windier part of Playa Brava, perfect for surfers. Technically speaking, Punta del Este is the point where the river officially becomes the Atlantic Ocean. A short drive north of Punta del Este, above the undulating Puente de La Barra hanging bridge, is the tourist town of La Barra. Here you can find colorful houses, flea markets and antique stores. Gorriti was an old leader who went into exile to Isla de Lobos because he wanted to retire and refused to protect the families who moved to Punta del Este to make the city grow. As in many parts of the world, there are also free walking tours of Punta del Este so that you can familiarize yourself with this fascinating city in an easy way. Take the panoramic elevator to La Vista in Punta del Este for some of its best views from 22nd floor. Finally, if you're looking for something different than just beaches, you can swim with wild sea lions, see Latin American surrealist art and attend a sun ceremony inside a sculpture converted into a hotel.
